Shade Fright by Sean Cummings
Valerie Stevens Series, Book 1
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format: Paperback, 416 pages
Published: 3/1/2010 by Snowbooks
Amazon | Snowbooks
Summary:
"I fell into this job quite by accident, when I discovered that I possessed the ability to see the preternatural world. There are a handful of people with similar abilities, and part of my job is to locate them, since Government Services and Infrastructure Canada likes to keep track of these things. Don't ask me why."
There's a malevolent force in town, and it's quite literally Valerie Stevens' job to determine who's behind it and why they want to destroy the world, starting with Calgary.
She'll have help, in the form of her best friend (now more or less a zombie, unfortunately), a powerful dwarf troll, and the ghost of former Canadian Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King (but he goes by 'Bill' these days). But that's not all - Valerie has some tricks up her sleeve and, she hopes, luck on her side. Oh, and her boyfriend, Dave. He drives a dump truck.
Who is Sean Cummings?
From Sean’s web site: "Sean Cummings is a comic book geek of the highest order and self-described nerd. He's been writing since 1978 (as a means of liberating his "inner nerd") He's a huge fan of the television series Being Human and asserts that if urban fantasy happened in the real world, Being Human is as close to real as you can get. His interests include speculative and science fiction, the borg, cats with extra toes, east Indian cuisine and quality sci-fi movies/television.
He lives in Saskatoon, Canada.
How Can You Tell It's One Of My Books?
1. It takes place in Canada. I've got nothing against the rest of the world but Canada is a cool place and hey, why shouldn't there be Canadian settings?
2. Really eccentric characters. I've written about characters from a little old lady with a penchant for rye who can bench press a battle tank to a zombie with a law degree. I think it makes for a colourful story.
3. Really awkward romance. I suck at romance, but it's sometimes necessary to throw on the oatmeal in a novel. The romance I insert is generally awkward, clunky and often humorous.
4. Humour. I try to create a blend of humour mixed with action in my stories.
5. First Person POV. I love writing in first person because my books always revolve around a central character who is relaying their experience to the reader. I can write in third person and who knows, maybe I will write a series of books that way. For now, I will keep on doing what appears to be working."
Places you can find Sean: Web Site | Twitter | Blog
Valerie Stevens Series:
- Shade Fright
- Funeral Pallor – July 2010
Giveaway:
Sean Cummings has generously offered to giveaway a signed ARC of Shade Fright to one lucky commentator. Here’s how to enter:
- In the comments, name a book you have read that takes place in Canada or why you'd like to read Shade Fright.
- Leave your email with your comment ONLY IF it is NOT part of your profile.
- Open to the US and Canada.
- Deadline to enter this giveaway is Sunday, March 7th at 8 AM CST.
- Sean Cummings will be mailing Shade Fright to the winner.
Good Luck!
27 comments:
I've read Michelle Rowen's Immortality Bites books which take place in Toronto, which I love. I just read the first chapter of Sean's book and loved it. I would LOVE to read the entire book because I love his humor and well, he mentions Tim Horton's in the first chapter:)
Yay, Canada! I love love Canada. I was there in December/January and I fell in love. I cannot wait to go again this year! And yes, I am as of now a fan of the Canucks and yes, I do own a sweater that says Canada in big red letters! And I wear it proudly... even though I am not Canadian (shhhh)
I have read Tanya Huff's vampire books and Death Du Jour by Kathy Reichs. Both take place in Canada.
Shade Fright seems great. I've never read anything like it and it would be nice to read something different for a change.
@Moonsanity, Tim Hortons, yummmm.
Also love B&W's! Best french fries ever!
I read Bitten by Kelley Armstrong that starts out in Toronto. I'm from Michigan so when I was younger we used to go across the border to Canada to drink and gamble (drinking age was 19) so I have fond memories of Canada - and I love Tim Horton's donuts! I would love to read Shade Fright - I'm a big fan of the cover!
I have been to Canada and loved it but can't think of a book at this time.
I would love to read your book as it is humorous and suspenseful and love the combination. Also, the cover makes me want to read as it suggests suspense with the eyes watching and just so darn cute.. LOL
misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com
Honestly? The only book I distinctly remember taking place in Canada was the Anne of Green Gables & following books. I wonder how often Mr. Cummings has to hear that? : )
Thanks for the giveaway. I'm really looking forward to reading on this book, one way or another. : )
I can't recall many books that take place in Canada. But I did read a book called Wolf Pass many years ago that took place in Canada.
lizzi0915 at aol dot com
I've got this posted at Win a Book for you!
One of my favorite series of books set in Canada are the Tanya Huff "Blood" books. Great series! Your book sounds great and I can't wait to read it!
rosie0512 @ hotmail . com
Parts of "Bitten" from the Women of the Otherworld series were in Canada. :)
I would love a chance to win!
xx,
E.J.
e.j.stevens.author[at]gmail[dot]com
I would love to read it because it is different from what I normally read
ykatrina at hotmail dot com
If I'm not mistaken several(maybe all) of Lynsay Sands books take place in Canada. I always thought Canada or Alaska would be appropriate for vampire tales as they would have longer winters and thus less sunshine.
alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
It's sad that it really takes a lot for me to think of a book that I've read that takes place in Canada. There's a slightly obscure one, though, called "My Name is Paula Popowich", which I read in school all those years ago, that takes place in Canada.
There need to be more Canadian locations in books, dagnabbit!
Kelley Armstrong's Otherworld series begins in Canada, with "Bitten," and goes back there from time to time. Lynsay Sands's Argeneau series is based in Canada, though characters do venture elsewhere. Kathy Reichs's Tempe Brenna works half-time in Montreal (where a lot of this series occurs) and the other half in the States. Good column; great book summary. Thanks.
Let's see...Besides Bitten, which lots of people have mentioned, I have read Deadly Innocence-a true story about Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka.
I really want to read Shade Fright, because it has some of my favorite things: humor, zombies and awkward romance.
I want to read Shade Fright because it sounds interesting, a great cover and zombies!
Books taking place in Canada... I do believe that Lynsay Sand's Argeneau series takes placing in and around Canada and the US.
justpeachy36@yahoo.com
Please enter me in the giveaway.
I have heard good things about this one.
I don't think I've read any books that take place in Canada, but I did watch the Olympics. :)
The book sounds like a great read, and I've read some awesome reviews.
heatwave96(at)hotmail.com
Are you kidding me? Who wouldn't want to read how William Lyon Mackenzie King gets worked into a contemporary story??? Not to mention being set in Calgary - I'll be vastly disappointed if the Stampede, Lake Louise (weekend trip?) and the Muttart Conservatory don't get to see some of the action - all kinds of malevolent things could happen in those places!
Best of luck with the series.
mayamissani AT yahoo DOT ca
Are you kidding me? Who wouldn't want to read how William Lyon Mackenzie King gets worked into a contemporary story??? Not to mention being set in Calgary - I'll be vastly disappointed if the Stampede, Lake Louise (weekend trip?) and the Muttart Conservatory don't get to see some of the action - all kinds of malevolent things could happen in those places!
Best of luck with the series.
mayamissani AT yahoo DOT ca
Are you kidding me? Who wouldn't want to read how William Lyon Mackenzie King gets worked into a contemporary story??? Not to mention being set in Calgary - I'll be vastly disappointed if the Stampede, Lake Louise (weekend trip?) and the Muttart Conservatory don't get to see some of the action - all kinds of malevolent things could happen in those places!
Best of luck with the series.
mayamissani AT yahoo DOT ca
After the Vancouver Olympics, everyone should be receptive and looking for books based in Canada. I've read a lot of international espionage which favors staging a chapter or two on the US/CAN border. Several police novels have included significant investigative time in Canada. I'm thinking there was some vampire book at least partially set in Montreal
One of my favorite series ever, Anne of Green Gables, was set in Canada. That's usually the first that springs to my mind even though it's been a long time since I've read it. Other than that it's usually only parts of books that take place in Canada.
There are parts in the beginning and toward the end of Bitten by Kelley Armstorng that are set in Toronto.
Skk25@aol.com
Quid Quo Pro by Vicki Grant is an awesome Canadian book!
I've read Lynsay Sand's Argeneau series, which is set in Canada.
Also, Day of Fire (2176 Series, Book 2) by Kathleen Nance, part of the 2176 series, was set in Canada as well.
I think Canada is a fantastic country and even though I haven't had a chance to visit, I hope to one day. I enjoy reading books set in Canada and I look forward to reading Shade Fright.
Well not a lot of books set in Canada come to mind except Anne of Green Gables. It must be underused as a setting. But I did read Shadows on the Rock by Willa Cather in college, and that took place in Quebec.
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